Coach Mike Babcock said after Friday's morning skate that he will not go out of his way to get defenseman Derek Meech into a game soon. Meech, the team's seventh blue-liner, hasn't played in any of the first four games and will be a healthy scratch tonight.
"Meecher's getting better each and every day," said Babcock. "When he gets in, it will be on an earned basis or because someone else has given him the opportunity. I'm not concerned about his development at all. Every day at practice, he's gotten more confident, quicker. ... I don't think it's hard for Meech at all right now because I think his eyes are wide open."